Decisions made on Access to Headington

Published 10 June 2016

A scheme to transform the transport system in part of Oxford has taken a step forward.

Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) needed as part of the forthcoming Access to Headington transport scheme have now been approved, meaning that Oxfordshire County Council can continue with preparations for a start on site later this year.

Access to Headington is part of the wider Oxford Transport Strategy and focuses on making improvements to network that helps to encourage greater walking, cycling and public transport use.

The scheme also aims to overcome a number of pinch-points which impact on bus journey times and journey-time reliability.

The project is a “transport corridor improvement” programme made up of a number of enhancements such as junction upgrades, cycling facilities, pedestrian crossings and public transport measures.

Work done in stages

These will be implemented in stages rather than as one major construction project. This allows greater coordination with other road works and activities that may need to be done in the area to minimise disruption.

Plans for the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Energy Link will shortly be submitted to Oxford City Council by Vital Energi for planning permission and, at this time, there is no official start date for work to start. However, the county council, Vital Energi and the Trust are all working together for the mutual benefit of the local community and people travelling through the area.

Listening to feedback

County Councillor David Nimmo Smith, Cabinet member for transport, said: “The county council wants to work with local people and has already been listening and taken their feedback into account by looking again at the TROs and making some changes to the overall scheme.

“Access to Headington is a major investment in the local transport infrastructure – it is needed in order to support new jobs and housing in the area without attracting new traffic to the area.

“The focus of the scheme is on enabling sustainable transport not encouraging more cars or vehicles.

“We have been in close contact with the team delivering the hospital pipeline scheme and will work with them to coordinate our work. Everything will be done to minimise disruption and we will keep talking with them in this period before any construction starts.”

Speed limit and parking to be looked at

Following representations from local councillors and members of the public at the meeting it was also agreed that the county council would carry out a consultation on introducing a 20mph limit on Windmill Road and look again at options for residents parking on part of The Slade.

The county council is still working towards a start on the Access to Headington project in the summer and will be releasing more information on start dates, locations and specific construction work done shortly.